IKOR Institute
Blog & Research
Insights, data and behind-the-scenes notes from independent research into the durability and repairability of consumer goods.
Do Testing Agencies Agree on What Quality Is? A Digest of Our Research
We compared 16,978 test results from four European consumer testing organisations. Four of our studies: how strongly agencies agree (ρ = 0.84–0.92), whether higher prices mean higher quality, why the market rewards brands more than tested performance — and when the crowd agrees with the experts. With links to the full texts.
Číst celý článek →Ratings, Returns, and the Information Value of Public E-Commerce Signals: A Digest of Our Research
We analysed 2.1 million Amazon listings and 31,000 products from the largest Czech e-shop. Six of our studies: rating inflation, the predictive ceiling for returns, repairability as a signal, reputation failure, engagement signals — and catalog churn. With links to the full texts.
Číst více →How Long Do Appliances Really Last? A Digest of Our Lifespan Research
Six of our studies on appliance lifespan: what Czech consumers expect, how washing machine lifespans have evolved, why planned-obsolescence beliefs don't change purchase behaviour — and how many end-of-life appliances escape official statistics. With links to the full texts.
Číst více →Right to Repair: What the New EU Directive Means for You
July 2026 — the deadline by which all EU member states must implement Directive 2024/1799 on the right to repair. What it requires of manufacturers, how it will affect the electronics market, and what consumers and businesses can expect.
Číst více →7 Things to Check Before Buying a Home Appliance
Sales staff will not tell you everything. Technical sheets are deliberately confusing. And e-shop reviews are full of fakes. Here is a checklist that works — in-store and online.
Číst více →Fridges Under the Microscope: Which Brand Lasts 15 Years? Data from 263 Tests
The average fridge should last 15–20 years. Our analysis of 263 expert tests shows which brands fall far short of that standard — and which exceed it even in the budget segment.
Číst více →Weibull Analysis: How We Precisely Measure Product Lifespan
The Durability Score is not a guess or gut feeling. It is built on the Weibull distribution — a statistical method originally developed for the aerospace industry. We explain how it works and why IKOR uses it.
Číst více →Which Washing Machine Brand Actually Leads? Results From 204 Expert Tests
We analysed 204 expert washing machine tests from an independent EU consumer organisation and compiled the first independent brand ranking available on the market. The result is surprising — especially in the budget segment.
Číst více →EU Right to Repair: What the 2024 Directive Actually Means for Consumers and Businesses
The EU Right to Repair Directive passed in June 2024. Here is what it actually requires from manufacturers, what it changes for consumers from 2026, and what it still fails to address.
Číst více →How to Spot a Quality Product Before You Buy: 5 Signals That Actually Work
Certifications are confusing, e-shop reviews are manipulated and manufacturers hide specifications. But there are concrete signals that reveal true quality — even without a lab.
Číst více →Planned Obsolescence: Why Your Product Stops Working Before It Should
Planned obsolescence is an economic phenomenon that costs households thousands of crowns every year. What it is, how to recognise it, and why regulators are only now starting to address it.
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